VASCO
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday stating that societies with 100 flats and above will not be granted occupancy certificates to their buildings unless basic lifesaving infrastructure is in place.
Rane was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a wellness centre at Mormugao Sada in the presence of Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar.
He said the decision was taken after observing that several large housing complexes housing hundreds of residents were completely unprepared to deal with medical emergencies, resulting in precious time being lost before ambulances arrive.
“We have huge residential complexes with 100, 120 or even 150 flats, but there is absolutely no system to handle an emergency. If someone collapses or there is an emergency, people are left helpless till an ambulance arrives. To reduce emergency response time, it will now be compulsory for such societies to appoint a trained paramedic and install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED),” Rane said.
The minister clarified that occupancy certificates will be withheld until the health department certifies that a paramedic is employed, an AED machine is installed and basic emergency facilities are available within the society.
“This is not an option. If these facilities are not in place, occupancy will not be granted. Spending around Rs 20,000 spread across 100 flats is nothing when it comes to saving human lives,” he said.
Rane said the government has already amended the Town and Country Planning Act and the Health Act to give legal backing to the decision.
“The proposal has been passed in the Assembly and the amendments are done. The idea is that a trained paramedic can immediately respond and stabilise the patient till the ambulance reaches the spot,” he added.
Doctors, seats, ambulances
The health minister also spoke about the shortage of doctors and said proposals have been moved to increase medical seats in the State.
“We need more doctors and I have already suggested this in the file. We have applied for an increase in medical college seats so that Goa is better prepared in the coming years,” he said.
On emergency transport, the minister said he has discussed with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant a proposal to add 100 brand-new ambulances to the state’s health services.
“Spending money on ambulances is the best investment because every call is about saving a life. We need advanced ambulances, cardiac ambulances and neonatal ambulances, and I am confident the chief minister will make these available,” Rane said.
Safety of tourists
Touching upon tourist safety, Rane said he will also hold discussions with Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to strengthen medical response systems in tourist areas.
“We already have lifeguards on beaches, which is excellent. They save people from drowning. But after that rescue, medical response is equally important. We need ambulances positioned strategically and even bike ambulances as first responders, followed by full-fledged ambulances, so that tourists receive immediate medical attention,” he said.
